b'Opioids in the United States: What Factors Predict Death Rates across the 50 States?Jessie Kalinowski, Department of Political ScienceFaculty Sponsor: Dr. James LaPlant, Department of Political ScienceThe purpose of this quantitative study is to examine the factors that led to the opioid epidemic across each of the 50 states. Many solutions have been suggested and implemented in recent years with the intent of reducing the number of opioid related deaths, yet it is not clear whether these measures have been successful. This study analyzes twelve independent variables: per capita income, unemployment rate, marijuana laws, population density, race (white), race (African American), race (Hispanic), age (35-54), age (55- 64), age (65+), education (bachelors degree) and region. The impact of these variables on the opioid death rate is measured in this study using correlation analysis, scatterplot analysis, and an AVONA for the region variable. Six variables were found to be statistically significant: marijuana laws, population density, race (white), age (35-54), age (55- 64) and age (65+). Regional differences are evident, with opioid death rates highest in the Northeast followed by the South and the North Central regions. Contrary to previous research, states with relaxed marijuana laws do not have lower opioid death rates. The results of this study suggest that education level, per capita income and unemployment do not really influence the opioid death rate, however, the impact of age (ranging from 35 to 65+), population density, race (white) and marijuana laws are variables that should be further examined as they may lead to an answer in solving this crisis.72'